Hunt for two men after police officer fires gun after being rammed in Sydney

A manhunt is continuing for two men caught breaking into an apartment block in Sydney.

A constable was forced to fire his gun at their getaway car in St Peters before the duo went on a crime spree across the Inner West.

A convoy of police chased the Volkswagen Golf along King St at 1.15am.

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Earlier, officers were seen heading towards St Peters with reports of a break-in at a unit block on the Princes Highway.

It was there they sprung two men attempting to smash through a front door.

The duo then fled to their getaway car in a downstairs carpark.

Police called on them to stop, however, that vehicle sped directly at police officers.

"One of those police officers drew their firearm and a single shot was discharged into the vehicle," NSW Police Det Act Supt Ben Kennis said.

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Resident Emily Miller said she "heard a really loud bang".

"All of a sudden a cop car just took off, and their were police downstairs looking a bit frantic," she said.

Police say they lost track of the Volkswagen in Newtown.

Another patrol car then picked up the Golf on Victoria Road at Rozelle and gave chase for a time.

By 2am the car had been set alight inside an apartment block carpark in Pyrmont.

When authorities arrived on Harris Street, the two men had fled and remain on the run.

It's unknown if either of the men were hit when the gun was fired into the car.

Whether it was appropriate for the constable to discharge his firearm in that moment, will also form part of the investigation.

"The police officer in their mind needs to fear for their life," Kenis said.